Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. There is some concern that the shift in focus towards public transport will have a detrimental impact on a number of earmarked road projects. What is his response to that concern? I want to flag some important road projects in my area, one of which is that between Kilmoon Cross and the Rath roundabout. Despite being in level 5 lockdown, traffic volumes in the area are at 85% of pre-Covid levels. I have spoken to engineers and transport officials in Meath County Council who have analysed this project at length. What they propose will have active traffic measures and will tick a number of boxes in terms of the national strategic objectives. There are concerns that the shift in focus will deprioritise projects such as this. I emphasise the importance of the Navan rail project, an issue I have raised previously with the Minister, and of the Slane bypass. I would like to hear the Minister's thoughts on those projects.

At a meeting of the Joint Committee on Climate Action earlier, we heard from a number of witnesses, some of whom raised the need for a change in governance structures, suggesting there may be an opportunity to review the roles of the National Transport Authority, NTA, and Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII. Are our current structures are fit for purpose? Is the NTA sufficiently resourced to deliver on the ambitious programme of work the Government has for it? Does the Minister have plans to address that?